Local government reorganisation (LGR) means changing how councils are structured and what services they deliver.
The government plans to replace the current two-tier system of district and county councils with new unitary authorities - single councils responsible for all local services. Most new councils will serve populations of 500,000 or more, though exceptions may be made to suit local needs. Each area's future structure will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Our Lancashire, Our Councils
A proposal for four community-focussed local authorities
Blackpool will support a model that sees four councils delivering services across Lancashire.
In the proposal, the areas of Blackpool, Fylde and Preston councils would combine along with the western half of Wyre borough up to the River Wyre.
The proposed new council would deliver services across the Fylde coast, as well as out to Preston. This would reflect the way many people on the Fylde coast live their lives with families and workplaces.
It also follows the physical geography of the River Wyre and River Ribble, the natural transport networks of the Blackpool tramway and the north and south Fylde train lines, as well as the A583, A584 and A585.
The council’s Executive approved the business case on 25 November 2025 and it was sent to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Read the business case in full: Our Lancashire Our Councils [PDF 7MB]
Other proposals
Across Lancashire, five different proposals have been submitted to government. Proposals range between two to five councils providing services across the county iin the future.
Each proposal is available to view the Lancashire Local Government Reorganisation website.
This is separate from the devolution process. You can find more details about the differences between devolution and LGR.
What could happen next
The government is expected to lead a public consultation on the proposals early next year with a preferred option selected in summer 2026.
If approved, elections for shadow authorities could take place in May 2027, with the new councils taking over all services from 1 April 2028.